Here's the avatar I created with shapes; I am well known for drawing the "waving lima bean" you see on the left, which I drew with the pencil tool. I then used shapes to recreate it to the right. I also used my own handwriting under the avatars, which I turned into a font using a free service that now requires pay. If you can find another, it's a neat thing to do. We made lots while it was free, including my 6-year-old niece's current handwriting.

barrett_avatar.jpg

I was glad to see the Simsonizer on the list of avatar makers available - I love the Simpsons, and my students know it - I bring it up all the time! I actually made this awhile ago for my Facebook page:
simpson_barrett.JPG

Also, while this is not really an avatar, since this class is about visual stimuli, there's a site called www.photofunia.com to which you can upload a picture and do amazing things. I made this one for Facebook also. I've never recieved so many compliments. :) All I did was upload a photo of my face. It did the rest. There are some that make this site a little too risque for students to use (nothing awful or naked, just risque), but it's super cool.

photofunia_barrett.JPG


In learning and reading about the fill and stroke tools, as well as reflecting something, my thoughts turned to the many argyle frocks that are popping up now that the weather is turning. Plus, when I think of pattern, that's about immediately where my mind goes. I created the diamond shapes, grouping them in fours, repeating and reflecting them to establish my larger pattern of 16 diamonds. I then stroked some and filled the others with the same light blue. I then wanted more, so I filled the ones I had also stroked with a deeper blue. I wanted some more depth to it, so I grouped all the diamonds and used a black stroke on them, as well as adding the lines with a bit of shadow, doing only one direction and then duplicating and flipping the image. I'm happy with how it turned out.

argyle_barrett.jpg


Using the grid lines was fun. I decided to make a bullseye, and first decided on the size I wanted and then how much bigger I wanted each additional circle. Using the grid made this VERY easy. I also loved in the align tools that you can choose a layer and align all the others to its center, which I what I did here, creating a perfect bullseye. I think this could be used in a library to be a display of books on targeted reading and study skills. I've included a screen shot of my work with my grid lines, as well as the finished product:
bullseye_with_grid_barrett.jpg bullseye_without_grid_barrett.jpg

Awhile back, I learned how to make brushes in Photoshop. While learning about reflections for this project, I also learned about the transformative uses of "perspective." I made this using those ideas:
spartan_shadow_barrett.jpg

might have next year's staff t-shirt design here. :) The reflection and perspective combo is very cool, I think.